I have been trying to look up the Caran d'ache pencils you referenced. I can locate Dark Flesh 50% & Burnt Sienna 50%. I thought you said Burnt Umber for the 3rd one but did you actually say Burnt Ochre 🤔? Are the other pencils you reference also this brand? I don't see a gunmetal gray, blue gray, or silver gray...? 🙏
Hi! Good question! Yes, some of those (like Burnt Umber) were the Derwent watercolor pencils, which I don't like as much, but I have them, so I use them. The reason I like the Caran d'ache pencils better is that they don't tend to granulate, or get grainy when you add water. For skin tones, I'd like as little granulation as possible.
So if I were to get my favorite colors in the Caran d'ache line, I would add:
A very dark brown, like the one they call Brown, or maybe Raw Umber or Sepia 50%
Some silvers and blue greys, like Payne's Grey and Steel Grey . Maybe French Grey?
As you can see, they have many other intriguing earthy tones that would be great skin tones, but I find that I always reach for the same two or three, and use watercolor for the rest. It's a matter of finding the few that you like best, which is always a bit of trial and error!
Your blog / newsletter is one of my favorite. In fact, for my newsletter which goes out this week, I'm talking about newsletters that I read and I will absolutely be sharing a note about yours. Insightful and beautiful. Thank you.
Ok, no tunnels there... but when I lived in CT, we had real tunnels and basements that helped move and hide southern enslaved escapees via a parts of what were called the Underground Railroad. A neighbor lived in a very old home in tiny Hebron, CT [incorporated in 1706] and their basement was, according to local historical lore, used to hide runaway slaves making their way eventually to Canada or further north into Maine, NH and VT. CT was "almost" a safe haven, but the slave hunters sometimes made the rounds and there were often corrupt, or shall we call them "overly law abiding"officials and persons willing to turn in humans for payment, those who had escaped slavery in the south and wanted safety and freedom. The Underground Railroad had byways all through New England, providing protected passage to escapees. Some of the formerly enslaved people took their chances amongst New Englanders who were mostly anti-slavery, but some were fearful, and with good reason. Bribes and payments were available for those locals willing to turn in slave locations.
Hi Amy,
I have been trying to look up the Caran d'ache pencils you referenced. I can locate Dark Flesh 50% & Burnt Sienna 50%. I thought you said Burnt Umber for the 3rd one but did you actually say Burnt Ochre 🤔? Are the other pencils you reference also this brand? I don't see a gunmetal gray, blue gray, or silver gray...? 🙏
Nancy Jane
Hi! Good question! Yes, some of those (like Burnt Umber) were the Derwent watercolor pencils, which I don't like as much, but I have them, so I use them. The reason I like the Caran d'ache pencils better is that they don't tend to granulate, or get grainy when you add water. For skin tones, I'd like as little granulation as possible.
So if I were to get my favorite colors in the Caran d'ache line, I would add:
A very dark brown, like the one they call Brown, or maybe Raw Umber or Sepia 50%
Some silvers and blue greys, like Payne's Grey and Steel Grey . Maybe French Grey?
As you can see, they have many other intriguing earthy tones that would be great skin tones, but I find that I always reach for the same two or three, and use watercolor for the rest. It's a matter of finding the few that you like best, which is always a bit of trial and error!
Your blog / newsletter is one of my favorite. In fact, for my newsletter which goes out this week, I'm talking about newsletters that I read and I will absolutely be sharing a note about yours. Insightful and beautiful. Thank you.
Oh wow thank you so much!
Ok, no tunnels there... but when I lived in CT, we had real tunnels and basements that helped move and hide southern enslaved escapees via a parts of what were called the Underground Railroad. A neighbor lived in a very old home in tiny Hebron, CT [incorporated in 1706] and their basement was, according to local historical lore, used to hide runaway slaves making their way eventually to Canada or further north into Maine, NH and VT. CT was "almost" a safe haven, but the slave hunters sometimes made the rounds and there were often corrupt, or shall we call them "overly law abiding"officials and persons willing to turn in humans for payment, those who had escaped slavery in the south and wanted safety and freedom. The Underground Railroad had byways all through New England, providing protected passage to escapees. Some of the formerly enslaved people took their chances amongst New Englanders who were mostly anti-slavery, but some were fearful, and with good reason. Bribes and payments were available for those locals willing to turn in slave locations.
Absolutely an amazing example of real tunnels and real history!
Wow supercool illustration and story💜 thanks Amy waiting for more to come :)
Much appreciated! I enjoyed making it.
It's all your efforts 👌
Loved the illustrated letter! Please keep those coming!
Thank you! It was truly so rewarding to just make this for the fun of it.